Walk on the wild side: &lsquo;Oofing&rsquo; lions, singing dogs ... and a bearcat with kittens

Mandy Matson, director of communications for the Conservators’ Center, smiles at the analogy inspired by the sounds of large animals up close.

Despite that light-hearted reference, Matson says the wildlife haven has a serious purpose.

To educate the public.

Conserve species through responsible breeding.

And rescue animals in need.

Situated on 45 acres of a former tobacco farm near Mebane (you can still see the decrepit buildings and barns as you drive in), the center provides a home to about 90 animals – lions, tigers, wolves and other species that “a lot of people have never heard of,” Matson says, and aren’t often found in zoos, such as Geoffroy’s cats, caracals, ring-tailed lemurs, servals, New Guinea singing dogs, and her favorites, binturongs.

“The animals you see at the zoo are just a small percentage of all the animals in the world. Zoos can’t hold all the different species,” Matson says. “To fully protect an animal you have to be able to see it. If you see it, you want to protect it” – and by extension, the creature’s ecosystem.

To that end, the center opened to the public in 2007. (They’ve been around since 1999). Visitors can walk the graveled paths that wind by the cages and come within feet of the magnificent creatures.

“One big difference is how close they can get to the animals. We will see lions and tigers from 5 feet away. At the zoo they are in a great big enclosure,” Matson says. “We don’t have big, beautiful exhibits. Our animals live in their habitats. We can’t keep beautiful grass. Our primary goal is to give our animals a happy, healthy life. They (the exhibits) are built for the animals’ needs. They are not built for show.”

Visitors, however, will get an eyeful and an earful.

Come early in the morning and listen as the keepers call out to the lions, something they call “oofing,” loud noises that eventually get the big cats responding with thunderous growls and deep bass rumbles that can be felt in your chest. Keep in mind a single lion’s roar can be heard 5 miles away. Imagine standing 5 feet away as 20 lions make their presence known.

“It still amazes me that I can call a lion and they will call back,” Matson grins.

It is amazing.

It’s also amazing to kneel down by the cages and ponder the beauty of the animals from mere feet away (while Matson keeps a watchful eye to make sure you don’t get too close – these are, after all, wild animals and should be respected as such).

A closer scrutiny will reveal the other side of the story, why reputable rescue facilities are so important.

Mufasa’s proud face bears the scars of his previous home, a breeding mill in Ohio that had been charged with 981 violations of the Animal Welfare Act before it was shut down. The lion and his pride were housed in a 40-square-foot enclosure that lacked adequate shelter from the Winter cold and the Summer heat. Shared walls with other lions allowed males from different prides to fight through the fencing, and cage mates fought over food. All of the animals had multiple, festering wounds, including Mufasa who was covered in sores and scars from fighting and riddled with parasites.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture sought homes for the big cats and contacted the Conservators’ Center, which is licensed by the USDA and follows standards of care set by that entity. Co-founders Mindy Stinner and Doug Evans agreed to take four tigers. The remainder were to go to another facility, but the owner died and his heirs would not honor the agreement. Rather than see the animals euthanized, the center accepted all 14 of the big cats in 2004, not realizing that four of the lionesses were pregnant. They would give birth to 15 cubs.

“We went within four months from having three tigers to having more than 30 lions and tigers,” Matson says, a situation that put a terrible financial strain on the center that is still felt today. Maintaining so many animals, many of whom are elderly and injured, is not cheap.

According to Julia Wagner, the senior director of administration, the center’s operating costs this year were around $350,000. The haven receives no state or federal funding, relying solely on donations, tour admissions, gift shop proceeds, events and citizens who “adopt” specific animals. About 18,000 people visit the center each year – a number the staff hopes will continue to increase.

Conservators’ Center

Online: BeWilderNC.org

Phone: (336) 421-0883

Address: 676 East Hughes Mill Road, Burlington, North Carolina

People are welcome to tour the facility by appointment. They can also “adopt” animals, which gives them the opportunity to visit for free and bring treats, plus get discounts on events (and a T-shirt!). Donations are also needed. While most of the food is donated by hunters, farmers and businesses, money is needed for daily operations, medical expenses and to pay for an on-site veterinarian clinic under construction. Visit the website for more details.

Events

Tree Toss 2014

When: Jan. 4 and Jan. 11

Cost: $22, adults; $12, children

What: Watch lions, tigers and other animals receive their trees, donated by Cranberry Tree Farm. The smell of pine fascinates and excites them, and trees are often tussled with, rolled on and hugged.

Winter in the Wild

When: Select dates through Dec. 28

Cost: $16, adults; $12, children

What: Meet the animals in the glow of white lights during these special dusk tours. Lions, tigers and wolves don their thick coats and enjoy the brisk temperatures, while visitors stay warm with hot chocolate, apple cider and baked goods. See the animals’ homes decorated by their Lifetime Adopters, and cast your vote for your favorites.